25-06-2022

sAturDAy, June 25, 2022
4
Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam
e-mail: editor@thebangladeshtoday.com
Saturday, June 25, 2022
Padma Bridge :
Dream to Reality
T
he
Padma Multipurpose Bridge (PMB) is
being officially opened today, June 25. It will
be opened for normal traffic movement the
next day, June 26. The six kilometre long bridge
would be the second biggest in the world and an
engineering marvel. Notably, almost the entire
works on this gigantic infrastructure including
approach roads and other supports have been
already completed in a short period of time that
amply proves the determination of this
government's planners to push ahead with this
flagship project.
The PMB is the biggest infrastructure ever that
has been taken up in Bangladesh's history. Out of
the projected over 30,000 crore Taka estimated
as necessary for the construction of the project,
Bangladesh provided nearly the entire sum. In
fact, it is no overstatement to say that the bridge
is being constructed mainly by spending from the
country's own resources. This development is also
an indicator of the current state of the Bangladesh
economy that enables it to finance such a large
project without external assistance.
When negotiations between Bangladesh and
the World Bank (WB) ceased in 2013 over
financing the PMB and pessimists and even some
experts expressed the view that construction of
the bridge by Bangladesh all by itself was an
impossibility, our Prime Minister (PM)
subsequently declared that Bangladesh would
build the bridge come what may and by its own
efforts and resources. This pledges has now
reached fulfilment no matter that WB by its
highly fictitious objections earlier had delayed the
vital project by about two years.
There are few visionary leaders in the world
today who can be credited for their lifetime
ahievements in changing for the better the
conditions in their country. Joseph Stalin who
won the war against Nazis and made his country
into a socialist superpower, was one of them.
Closer to home in Malaysia. Dr Mahathir
Mohammad with his long innings in power
presided over the transformation of his country
from a poor developing country into a semi
developed one.
Like Dr Mahathir, our Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina continues to be lavished with praises in
the international media and international
organizations. She is seen as a great visionary
leader who, within two decades, rubbed out the
earlier image of her country as an international
basket case to have become an Asian tiger
economy and to be yet stronger in all respects in
the years ahead.
The PMB will likely give a major impetus to the
all round economic development process of the
country. Road travel between 21 southern and
western districts with the rest of the country
including Dhaka will much ease or be facilitated.
In these hitherto underdeveloped districts,
economic enterprises of different types will
become feasible.
As a matter of fact, potential entrepreneurs
are sensed to be in a scramble to buy lands in
these districts with the aim of setting up various
industries there. Thus, the forecasts are that even
in the short term, the country's economic growth
will increase by at least 1.23 per cent as soon as
the bridge becomes usable. Railway, power and
gas lines will also cross into the southern and
western regions by using the bridge. Reportedly,
PMB will also become a part of the Asian
Highway's AAE-1 route. Thus, the PMB's
economic and developmental prospects are
immense.
Padma Bridge's full potentials are not
immediately reflected today but planners are
already anticipating the huge economic boom
which its coming into existence is signalling. The
23 districts or a little over one third of the country
will very likely bloom into new zones of
industrialization and hence ones of development
and prosperity.
Centring on Barisal the entire south eastern
Bangladesh would be sooner than later humming
with all sorts of enterprises. Padma Bridge has
solved completely the communication problems
of these 23 districts. With gas and power
available too, more than one third of the hitherto
backward areas of the country would be pulsating
with myriad of economic activities set in motion
by a bridge that has crossed a mighty river from
end to end. Not only industrialization and
development, the so far neglected Kuakata tourist
zone will develop into a vibrant hub of local and
international tourism with all sorts of associated
economic spin offs. The new Paira port and
Rampal power plant will be further stimuluses in
the economic growth to be experienced by this
region.
We, on the part of this paper, wish to thank the
PM for her gallant leadership in taking forward
the PMB overcoming all odds.
Padma Bridge: The passion of a nation is going to inaugurated
The people of the country
will rejoice on the day of
inauguration of Padma
Bridge in the same way that
the people of the country
rejoiced and rejoiced after the
independence of the country. Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina has proved that the Bengali
Nation cannot and will not bow down to
anyone. By building the Padma Bridge with
own money, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
has proved that no conspiracy could stop the
work of the Padma Bridge. In 1971, under the
leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman, the country became independent
and Bangladesh won. Similarly, the
inauguration of the Padma Bridge on June
25 will be another victory. This day will be
the day of another victory of the Bengali
nation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,
members of the cabinet, prominent
politicians, foreign diplomats stationed in
Bangladesh are taking impeccable security
measures during the inauguration and stay
of the Padma bridge. Besides, strict security
measures are being taken at various venues
and surrounding areas at the Mawa and
Jajira ends of the Padma Bridge. Regarding
the Padma Bridge, Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina said, "Canadian courts have clearly
stated that there was no corruption. After
this, there is no more talk. But then I will not
build the Padma Bridge with the money of
those who have defamed us - that was my
decision. By the grace of Allah, I have built
the Padma Bridge with the money of the
whole of Bangladesh. All law enforcement
agencies are working through coordination
to ensure security." Besides, there will be
members of other forces including naval
police in naval security. Two banks of Padma
Bridge are being arranged on the occasion of
inauguration. Preparations for the festival
are underway in the districts. However,
Bangabandhu Bridge and Muktarpur Bridge
are not left out of the festivities. These two
bridges are being constructed on the
occasion of inauguration of Padma Bridge.
There are two more bridges in the country
under this division - Bangabandhu Bridge
and Muktarpur Bridge. The Bangabandhu
Bridge is the second largest bridge in the
country after the Padma bridge. And
Muktarpur Bridge is the fifth largest bridge
in the country. It has connected Munshiganj
with Narayanganj. Curious people will be
able to go to Mawa in an alternative way with
this bridge during the inauguration
ceremony. Various roads and structures
including Hatirjheel are also being arranged
on the occasion of inauguration of Padma
Bridge. There is also a laser writing show and
fireworks display in Hatirjheel. There will
also be cultural events. Before this,
discussions are going on about the cost of
construction of Padma Bridge and its various
engineering information. This discussion
has also come up in the cup of tea. The
Padma Bridge is built by bending only for the
sake of beauty. But that's not the case. In the
United States, China, or even Japan, long
highways have been built in this way. This is
mainly done with the drivers in mind. If the
bridge is straight, the drivers get on the
bridge and suffer from bored. Many people
feel drowsy because of holding the steering
wheel in the same way. This increases the
risk of accidents. But if you bend a little, the
drivers have to be careful about it. Through
this their heads are 100% active. Major
accidents can be avoided. Not just to keep
the driver's attention; the engineers also
Syed Faruk Hossain
kept in mind that the headlights of the
vehicles coming from the opposite direction
should not fall directly on the eyes of the
driver. If the bridge is curved, the light will
not catch the eye. This will also reduce the
risk of accidents. It is reasonable to bend any
big bridge, not just the Padma Bridge,
Vehicle weight, the pressure or weight of a
river or natural disaster. Vibration pressure
is created when a car climbs on a bridge.
When curved, it spreads across the bridge,
resulting in less pressure. If straight, it does
not spread over the whole bridge. Extensive
tremors and pressures occur in certain
places. As a result, there is a risk of the
bridge collapsing. When the bridge is made
by bending it, the loads of vehicles are
properly applied on each pillar. In addition,
during the flow of the river, there is a lot of
pressure on the pillars, but when it is bent,
the pressure is less. The ground has equal
pressure all over the place, so bending can
hold all the pillar structures during an
earthquake. Due to these reasons, big
bridges like Padma Bridge have been
constructed by bending. There is no such
thing as beauty. Such intelligence is to keep
the bridge lasting for a long time. Even if the
cost increases, everyone has no objection,
because everyone is aware of security. Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina has proved that,
She has challenged it and decided that we,
the people of Bangladesh, have won the war
of liberation by responding to the call of the
Father of the Nation, so it will not build the
Pro. Dr. Nayeem AKM Islam ZAKir Nibir HossAin
Padma Bridge with the money of those who
have slandered us - that was her decision. By
the grace of Allah, we have built the Padma
Bridge with the money of Bangladesh. It is
our duty to maintain and maintain this
Padma Bridge, to ensure the safety of those
who will use it. Therefore, we have two
police stations for protecting the Padma
Bridge and providing passenger services to
the people in the vicinity. There were
various comments, rumors like beheading.
After overcoming all the rumors and
challenges, a 6.15 km long bridge was built
over the Padma. The capital is connected
with the south.After many ups and downs,
the Padma Bridge connects the two districts
on both sides. The quality of life of the
people around the bridge is also changing.
There are big projects including world class
Olympic Village, Benaresi Tantapalli, Icon
Tower at the initiative of RAJUK, the only
National Judicial Academy in the countr.
Mawa-Bhanga-Jessore-Khulna rail link will
be established from Dhaka. Khulna,
Mongla, Barisal, Kuakata Economic
Corridor will be established from Dhaka.
The southern part of the country will be
connected with Trans-Asian Highway (N-6)
and Trans-Asian Railway. The
establishment of new economic zones and
high-tech parks will attract domestic and
foreign investment and accelerate the
industrialization of the country .According
to the 2010 estimates, if the bridge is opened
at the current 12,000 vehicles crossing the
River Padma daily, the traffic will be
doubled and the number of vehicles will
increase by 7-8 percent per year and by
2050 it will be 67,000 vehicles per day.
However, this number may increase. This is
because before the construction of the
Jamuna Bangabandhu Bridge, the traffic
flow on the bridge was estimated to be
higher than it is now.
The Writer is Deputy Registrar,
Jagannath University
Padma Bridge is the best achievement of Sheikh Hasina's efficient leadership and development
The Padma Bridge, the
dream of the Bengali
nation, will be
inaugurated on June 25. It
will be opened for the travel
of the entire country. Prime
Minister Desaratna Sheikh Hasina's single
effort and courageous initiative in the face of
various evil forces, domestic and foreign
enemies and the various conspiracies of the
opposition, the Padma Bridge is going to be
launched to the surprise of the world and the
emotions of the Bengali nation. It is not just
a bridge or a steel structure. The Padma
Bridge is an emotional name for us and the
people of the South. Another name for pride
and courage is the Padma Bridge. This
bridge is a symbol of development and
capability of Bangladesh.
This bridge symbolizes the sharpness of
skill and talent of Bangladesh Awami
League. This bridge symbolizes the progress
of building the golden Bengal of the dream of
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman. One of the brightest
milestones in our struggle for economic
liberation. As I write this sub-editorial today,
the whole world is watching the Padma
Bridge, a symbol of our self-reliance and the
able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina, with great interest and enthusiasm.
The 6.15 km long bridge would have been
opened long ago if the world had not been
infected with the corona virus. Sheikh
Hasina, the forerunner of the liberation and
development of the Bengali nation, has
taken the work of the Padma Bridge forward
by tackling various challenges and notoriety
since the adoption of the bridge construction
plan.
The present government has had to face
various conspiracies, technical and financial
challenges of the opposition political
organizations from the very beginning of
planning for the construction of the bridge. A
mega project like the Padma Bridge will
show a unique path of economic liberation
for us and the people of the South.
Unemployment rate will come down. The
curse of unemployment in the south will
disappear. Mothers and sisters will become
self-reliant. Under the leadership of
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,
Bangladesh gained independence from
Pakistan on that day with the spontaneous
participation of common people of all walks
of life including leaders and activists of
Bangladesh Awami League. In the same
way, when different people are involved in
various conspiracies over the Padma Bridge,
we have been able to complete such a
challenging project on our own through the
courageous efforts of Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina and the overall participation of the
people of the country without caring about
the conspiracies of the conspirators.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman has taught us the culture
and courage to overcome adversity and
succeed. On page 234 of Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's book 'The
Unfinished memories' Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman spoke of building our own
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, members of the cabinet,
prominent politicians, foreign diplomats stationed in
Bangladesh are taking impeccable security measures
during the inauguration and stay of the Padma bridge.
Besides, strict security measures are being taken at
various venues and surrounding areas at the Mawa and
Jajira ends of the Padma Bridge.
country and devoting all our energies
towards the economic and political
emancipation of the people. Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has dedicated his
life for the independence of our country and
later for the development of Bangladesh.
Bangabandhu devoted himself to the
struggle to transform his country into a
golden Bengal by capitalizing on the vitality
of invincible people. We can see the natural
spread of efficient leadership like
Bangabandhu even in his daughter Sheikh
Hasina. Aiming to build the golden Bengal of
Bangabandhu's dream. Bangabandhu's
daughter Deshratna Sheikh Hasina who is
the builder of modern Bangladesh. Sheikh
Hasina is the epitome of a developed and
prosperous digital Bangladesh. The only
faithful address of the hopes and aspirations
of the Bengalis, the dreamer of the Bengalis'
world conquest.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her own
initiative on July 4, 2001 officially laid the
foundation stone of the Padma Bridge near
Mawa Ferry Ghat. But the construction of
the bridge came to a halt due to the
inferiority complex of several political
organizations including the BNP. Returning
to power in the 2009 elections, Sheikh
Hasina considered the construction of the
Padma Bridge as nationally important and
took various initiatives, struggles and
programs to implement it again. Initially, the
Asian Development Bank, JICA and IDB
were partners in financing the Padma
Bridge, but later the World Bank was
involved. All these banks also helped in the
construction of Bangabandhu Bridge. In this
context, the Government of Bangladesh, in
good faith, involved the World Bank as a
partner in the construction of the Padma
Bridge.
In the end, the World Bank did not live up
to that trust in financing the proposed 1.2
billion project. The expatriates wanted to
directly help the government in building the
Padma bridge. The efforts of expatriate
workers to do something for the country have
always been remarkable. Therefore, I would
like to express my gratitude and appreciation
to the expatriates on behalf of Hon'ble Prime
Minister Desaratna Sheikh Hasina through
this editorial. At the same time, I am hopeful
that our expatriate brothers and sisters will
surely be overwhelmed, proud and honored
to see the inauguration ceremony of the
Padma Bridge.
On the other hand, the cost of the project
also increased naturally as the work could not
be completed on time due to various
adversities. And many people are confusing
the people about this extra cost. Dear reader,
like you, I have no shortage of passion and
excitement about the inauguration of the
Padma Bridge. Because it's not just a bridge.
It is not just a means of communication. This
Padma bridge is our dream. This bridge is a
sign of self-reliance of our independent
country. Many people have criticized the
construction time of this bridge. Eventually,
with the implementation of the bridge, all
speculations and rumors have faded. Among
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
has taught us the culture and courage to overcome adversity
and succeed. On page 234 of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman's book 'The Unfinished memories' Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman spoke of building our own country
and devoting all our energies towards the economic and
political emancipation of the people.
the specialties of the Padma Bridge, the fact
that its own financing and performance can
be done alone was beyond our imagination
for so long. But it is no longer an external
object of thought, it is present and real today.
Tomorrow, June 26, the people of
Bangladesh will start getting the benefits of
the bridge. The 6.15 km long road and rail
bridge over the Padma, the second longest
river in Bangladesh, is the main bridge in the
country and one of the largest in the world.
This bridge is a wonder for South Asia. It is
expected that an average of 75,000 vehicles
will pass through the bridge every day when
the activities start in full swing. The bridge
will directly connect the southern region
including Munshiganj, Shariatpur and
Madaripur districts and will connect the
north-eastern part with the south-western
part of the country. In other words, the
construction of the Padma Bridge has created
an opportunity to play a major role in the
overall development of the southern region
by connecting the economic golden future
with other regions of the country.
You also know that the full name of the 11th
longest bridge in the world is 'Padma
Multipurpose Bridge'. 918 hectares of land
had to be acquired for the construction of the
bridge. The construction of this huge bridge
was done by China Major Bridge Engineering
Construction Company Limited and the
English S-shaped bridge was designed by the
American multinational engineering firm
AECOM. The length of the bridge is 6.15 km
(20,2000 ft) and the width is 16.10 m (59.4
ft). After going through many ups and downs,
the construction work finally started on
December 7, 2014 and the work was
completed in June 2022. Which will be open
to all tomorrow. The bridge is being
maintained by the Bangladesh Bridge
Authority and supervised by the Korean
Expressway and the Bangladesh Army.
Implementing such a big project like
Padma Bridge is really a challenge for a
country like Bangladesh. Even then, with the
participation of people from all over the
country under the leadership of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina, this bridge has
become one of the successes of Bangladesh.
This success was not easily implemented.
For the implementation of Padma Bridge,
financial crisis, financial management,
confidence, morale, etc., as well as various
problems had to be solved. Through the
construction and implementation of the
Padma Bridge, it has been proved that
Bangladesh can take up any challenge and
has the capacity to face the challenge. At the
same time, this bridge has been identified as
an indicator of Sheikh Hasina's strong
morale, courage and ability. The
construction of this multi-purpose bridge
has set a precedent for the Bengalis to use
their own strength, capabilities and
geography as their own. The Padma Bridge
will connect the south-western region of
Bangladesh with other regions and will
bridge the long distance between the districts
of Bangladesh. As a result, there will be
tremendous momentum in education,
health, culture, development, employment
and all other sectors. Today, it has become
the national aspiration, symbol and
consciousness of Bangladesh through the
construction of a huge bridge over the
country's second longest river with its own
funds.
Like her father, Bangabandhu's daughter
Sheikh Hasina, the successor of the
indomitable fighting mind, believes that our
only goal is the people's resilience and
determination and self-reliance in the face of
the war of life. Then none of us can destroy.
The Padma Bridge is a symbol of our
national capacity. A shining example of an
extraordinary dream of self-confidence
created by the combination of our
accumulated self-power. Dear reader, we are
at the very end of the discussion. Finally, I
will throw some questions to you and say
goodbye like today. Dear readers! Just think,
would any other government have been able
to build or implement the Padma Bridge?
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave
us independent territory, gave us freedom,
Bangladesh Chhatra League gave us the
right to speak in Bengali language, Hon'ble
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, daughter of
Bangabandhu, is taking the country forward
by developing it with relentless hard work.
In the case of 100% electrification in the
country, Tareq Rahman said it is not
possible. Sheikh Hasina has shown by
implementing. Khaleda Zia said Padma
Bridge is not possible by Awami League. The
Awami League has implemented the Padma
Bridge. Yet guys today you can criticize the
government a lot. As a citizen of an
independent country, you have freedom of
speech.
Ask your conscience for whom this padma
bridge? Who will travel through this bridge
for ages? With whom are you opposing the
Sheikh Hasina government? Why are you
doing this? Whose interest are you doing?
Asking questions.
Nayeem Islam Nibir is a young
generation political leader and columnist
in Bangladesh. He can be reached :
nayemulislamnayem148@gmail.com